Mimosa (Wattle)

The bluish-green mimosa bushes bloom in the winter (Nov-Mar) and cover the Tanneron hills, west of Cannes (near Auribeau) with bright yellow flowers and a strong fragrance.

Mimosa was imported from Australia in 1839, and has since taken over the slopes of the Tanneron. It is now cultivated and the cut flowers are sold throughout France and abroad.

Mimosa grows as bushes or small trees, and can sometimes reach 30 m. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are 2-pinnate, with 8-10 pairs of primary divisions and numerous small linear leaflets. This is the only variety of mimosa with the rows of tiny leaflets.